Polyurethane/Siloxane Hybrid Polymers with Chemiluminescent Mechanophores as Stress Probes

摘要

Abstract A series of mechanoluminescent polyurethane/siloxane hybrid polymers are synthesized through mild polycondensation and sol–gel hydrolysis process with 1,2‐dioxetane as the mechanophore. With joint advantages of polyurethanes and silicon‐containing polymers, these hybrid polymers exhibit good mechanical strength, high elasticity, and water resistance properties. Herein, 1,2‐dioxetane acts as an autoluminescent probe of chain scission, which could emit visible and sensitive signals of the covalent bond breaking in these hybrid polymers under mechanical force. Thus, chain scission and chain slipping events during the failure process of these polymers can be effectively discriminated. The current work will offer exciting opportunities to study the failure process of hybrid polymers with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolutions.